At this very moment I am filled with so many emotions... enthusiasm, fear, giddiness, anxiousness, joy, sadness (leaving hubby and Rylan), and yet feeling blessed with calmness and peace. We have seen God's mighty hands in our preparations for this trip. I am certain that this is what and where he has called me and my boys to embark on. I am honored to have this opportunity and I can't wait to love on the people in Nicaragua. As with any work on the mission field, there comes some fears. If we are not willing to experience some fear in life, then we won't have the opportunity to feel the exhilaration of true joy! For all of my prayer pals out there, will you join me in prayer this week? I am praying that the Lord would plant the Holy Spirt deep into the souls of our mission team so that we might impact the world for the good of Him! More specifically, my prayers are...
Braydon - A physical prayer for Braydon is to not get sick during travel. He gets motion sick very easily. I have Dramamine packed and ready for the drive and on the plane. Spiritually, I pray that his heart will be transformed from a "me" perspective to a bigger picture. That he would be able to love on this community as willingly and easily as he does on children here in our own community! My biggest prayer is that Braydon sees Jesus in everything we do! That he grows closer in his personal relationship with Him. That when he returns, he will shine God's light in middle school!
Bryce - That he would come home and not be so concerned about what we have/don't have. That he would be impacted by the poverty of what we see and that his view changes on materialism. I pray that he will be able to overcome any fears that he may have during this adventure. He's my anxious one :) I'm concerned about his tummy. He has a weak stomach and the food concerns me as well. He's not one to be outdoors due to extreme allergies. The allergist stated that it will be tough for him in this environment... prayers that he physically feels well enough and sustains the stamina to keep going each day. Lastly, I pray that his relationship with Jesus will also deepen during our time away. I hope that he bonds well with Wilberth, our sponsored child, and begins passionately praying for this young boy. My greatest desire is that Bryce would grow deeper in his faith journey.
Shandra - Where do I begin? Ha!!! I am praying that first and foremost, I relax and enjoy loving on the people in Nicaragua. That everything I do there is kept in line with what Jesus has in store for me! This is for Him, not me! I'm praying for stamina during the heat... I don't like being hot! When I get super hot and am in the sun for great lengths, I get extreme migraines that make me nonfunctionable!!! I'm praying that I can lead well... with a constant smile and nurturing spirit for our team... I tend to get frustrated when things don't go according to plan and I understand that flexibility is key but when I'm hot and tired, my smile tends to drift... praying that the Lord intervenes and gives me more strength and patience than I even knew possible!!!! I get tired very easily due to my thyroid and I am praying for the Lord to shower me with much energy!!! I'm a pretty fickle eater... praying that I can eat with a thankful heart! Emotionally, I am going to need lifted often that my spirits stay strong during the heart ache of leaving my husband and youngest at home. I've been gone so much lately as it is that I am already missing them terribly! And to know that I won't have much contact with them while I'm gone is difficult to think about. On top of that, I need to be lifted to stay emotionally strong for my two boys that will be with me. Without having my husband to help lead the way for my boys, I need to stay strong for them. I pray that I can be a Godly example for my own children!
Of course, safety for all three of us is heavy on my heart as well!
I leave tonight with this planted on my heart...
Matthew 25: 34-40
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Shandra, I will keep your blog before me and be praying for each of you and your team and as God leads. Love you, dear! God has some amazing things planned! Diane
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